I ACKNOWLEDGE

As an African American Woman I acknowledge being an heir to slavery

It has taught me to respect and cherish freedom

I acknowledge the life of poverty

Because it allows me to greet prosperity with humbleness

I acknowledge the meaning of hate

Because it makes my love overwhelmingly enormous

I acknowledge what it means to be weak

Because in reality you have to be strong to survive

I acknowledge what it means to be homeless

Because it lets me appreciate the comfort of my shelter

I acknowledge what it means to have an education

Because it is the beginning of the foundation that will help take us through life

I acknowledge the signs of fear

Because it help me to extend comfort

I acknowledge the cries of the youth

Because I can reach out with compassion in my heart

I acknowledge the threat of Drugs and Diseases

It is destroying the core of our existence

I acknowledge the presence of bad

Because it lets me know that through good all things are possible

I acknowledge that there are changes to be made

And now that I can see some of them clearly

I shall let the changes begin,,,, In Me

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright 1982

THE BIRTH

Joy came with the birth of a baby

Wrapped in swaddling clothes

Sleeping peacefully, away in a manger

Where wonderous stories foretold

A star from Bethlehem shined on the stable

To welcome that Joy to earth

Many were born before and after

But something different accompained this birth

Baby Jesus was born of a Virgin

His father was from Heaven above

Sent down here as a sacrifice for all

To show us his undying love

He came into the world just as you and I

But will be remembered as our only true friend

One that incurred a great deal of pain

So that we may be pardoned for our sins

My what Joy filled this earth

The night Baby Jesus was born

Three wisemen came bearing gifts of gladness

To see the one that they had waited for so long

Remember this day the birth of that baby

And the joy that happen long ago

Share it with your children and give them the meaning

So that one day they to shall know

The season of giving is not just a present

It's Love and Joy that abide within the soul

Taught by the baby that was lying in a manger

Wrapped in swaddling clothes

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright 1982

THE BURNING BUSH

In the bible days there was a Burning Bush

And yet the fire consumed it not

And the man chosen by God went up on the mountain side

To seek out and to find that spot

The Burning Bush was an outlet God used

To draw the mold that he had chosen by hand

Someone that was once wealthy and royal

But in the end, just an ordinary man

The spot that he found was filled with knowledge

That at the time only he could hear

God revealed his throughts to the mind of that man

Making his purpose in life very clear

To bring forth a nation that was bound by tradition

To where the bush burned on that day

To step out into a world that knew him not anymore

A place where as a boy he use to play

This mission I send you on it won't be easy

You can except these words to be true

But go in my name using the rod as your weapon

And I will be there to see you through

And when the journey from bondage is ended

They will kneel down on this mountain to Thee

The prophecy given will have been fulfilled

That one day My people shall be free

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright 1982

THINKING OF YOU (DEDICATION TO MY FATHER) 1904-1969

The little house that sits on a hill

Surrounded by love and warmth at will

The windows were clouded from the fog at night

Made it seem to me that everything was alright

As a child I thought that nothing could go wrong

But at a young age in my life, I knew I had to be strong

In the beginning our little family was all that we had

We didn't have much else, but the love kept us from being sad

We sheltered each other to prevent harm and pain

Not knowing that what lies ahead was a whole lot of rain

How could life so comforting, go so very wrong

But then one day in mid december I woke up all alone

The man that meant the world to me I could see was no longer there

My father decided that life meant nothing, not here or any where

That morning in early december, the rain blanket the skies

At the end of that dreary day, water was pouring from beneath my eyes

Because the one person that I needed the most, I knew I would never again see

Now there was no one, no one at all, no one left for me

I finally managed to move on with my life, and some how I made it through

But there is one question that remain in my heart,,,,, Daddy what happen to you

What was going on in your mind that you felt you couldn't share

I thought we made a promise to each other, That no matter what, we would always be there

But that day so many years ago, you chose to be all alone

And everything that we held so dear, was suddenly all gone

Not only did you take your life, but you took a part of me

A place in my heart remains empty, that pain won't let me be free

Suicide is not the answer, It's the ending to every thing

Consider the people you will leave behind, and the heartache your actions will bring

The pain that I felt many years ago, I still remember it to this day

And no matter how hard I try to forget, that pain just won't go away

Sleep well Daddy and be at peace, these words from my heart are true

And always remember everyday of my life, I am constantly thinking of you

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright 1982

OUR PLEDGE

The day you pledged your love to me

Was a day I will never forget

As we promise to Love , Honor, and Protect

As of today, you haven't failed me yet

I look to you for Comfort and Strength

In the good times and in the bad

You are always there to share the smiles on my face

And there when I'm feeling really sad

I know there were times when we had our differences

And we felt like we wouldn't make it through

But with Love for each other, and Faith in our pledge

This journey was meant for me and you

It's been awhile since we pledged our vows, to join with one another

And I say to you my love, on the renewal of our lives

For you and I, there could be no other

Always my darling, with patience and trust

We will continue to be joined as one

And our love will blossom, as precious as a rose

Like it was when we first begun

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright

1982

THE TREE OF LIFE

I am a tree that stands tall and strong

My branches are long and wide

My roots flow deeply from beneath the soil

Reaching out from side to side

At certain times of the year I began to sprout leaves

Different forms, shapes & colors

And then there are those times when my limbs are bare

Looking similar to all the others

Next door to me stood a tree very small

And I watched it grow as tall as me

It's branches stretched out, they grew big and bold

For everyone in the neighborhood to see

Here we were in our own little space

Standing out from within a crowd

Making a statement as to who we are

Our words were silent, but they were proud

As people pass by, they admired our beauty

Not realizing that we have a soul

That heat when it's hot, Drips when it's wet

And shivers the times it get cold

There is a big difference between you and me

I'm there for you both day and night

When you need someone to lean on, or a quiet place to sit

I will shield you from the morning light

Will you take a minute and think about

How proud I am of me

That Life does live within my roots

Even though to some, I'm just a tree.

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright 1982

THE RECIPE TO HEAVEN

INGREDIENTS

A Willing Mind, Love, Courage, Compassion, Determination, Honesty

MIXING

First you will need a Willing Mind, to start the journey at hand,

To make a step to travel alone, until you reach the Promise Land.

Next you will need a Box of Love, for each and every one,

Stirring it up into your Heart, so the meal will be completely done.

Then there's a splash of Courage, you will need this each and every day,

To convince the ones that don't believe that the Lord is the only way.

Don't forget Compassion, for the ones that are blinded by sin,

Your whole purpose in life is to helping them, so that oneday thay can enter in.

Then there's Determination, for the hills that you have to climb,

To ensure when Christ returns again, You wont be left behind.

Last but not least is Honesty, for the people that want to hear,

Be honest with them, and yourself, and the fruits will certainly appear.

Take all these Ingredient and Mix them together, Apply them to your Soul,

When the food is prepared, And the meal is done,

We will meet in the Street Paved With Gold.

Pauline P. Williams

Cpoyright 1982

BEAUTIFUL BLACKNESS

Black is very beautiful for as far as you can see,

It is shared by others, all over the world just take a look at you and me.

Sometimes we often wonder, how can this old saying be true,

Well I'm here right now, bearing all kinds of gifts, with a message just for you.

Be proud that you are Black Men and Women, let your light shine bright and tall,

Having Strength, Courage, Love, and Peace, which are found within us all.

We have worked our way up Jacob's ladder, Caring our burdens with us as we climb,

With hopes of Equality, Education, and Freedom, so often we toed the line.

Many times our dreams are shattered and broken, Our skin battered and bruised with pain,

Take pride in who you are, as our Ancestors did, and never forgetting what they helped us to obtain.

Being Black does not represent disgrace or shame,

We are all unique which is part of the whole plan,

So Rise, Shine, and Take your place,

In God's eyes, We are equal throughout the land.

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright 1982

THEN THERE WAS YOU

When the clouds move over the sun, and darken the day as night,

I looked up and there was you, helping me to regain my sight.

When the mountains came together, closing on both sides of me,

I wondered what could I do, to help myself become free.

When I tried to cross the river, to get to the other side,

I looked up and there was you, offering me a ride.

When the breath inside of me shortened, as though I could not breathe,

I wanted to run so very bad, but I knew I could not leave.

When the dawn comes, and it's time to rest, I close my eyes to sleep,

I looked up in my dreams and there was you, offering me a world of peace.

Through all the trials that I have had, there's one thing that remains to be true,

Through the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, I looked up, and there was always you.

Pauline P. Williams

copyright 1982

I AM SPECIAL

I am a very special person, there's no one else like me,

From the very day that I was created, my inner most beauty was set free.

With a grain of dust, my life emerged, a miracle sight to behold,

Sprouting up from beneath the earth, shining just like pure gold.

I was born like a twinkling star, that glimmers late at night,

Up in the sky with so many others, preparing to take my flight.

When I look at myself in the mirror, the reflection that I can see,

Is a special addition added to life, that person that I see is me.

I sparkle just like a diamond, that's placed on a brides hand,

My glow inside, I carry that with me, as part of my daily plan.

Have faith in yourself, and be encouraged, even though you may sometimes feel blue,

And always remember, that special person you seek,

Has been there all the time......In You.

Pauline P. Williams

copyright 1982

DEDICATION TO 911

The Voices of Many Standing as One

As the sun came up early that morning, and it beamed down brightly our way,

It brought about a promise to all, of yet another precious day.

Lives were intertwining as the normal pace begin,

No one could ever imagine how that precious day would end.

Out of the skies came a horrible roar, from the sound of a very large bird,

Impacting the lives of so many people, like no one has ever heard.

Devastation and anger griped a nation, while millions were watching from home,

A senseless attack on innocent people, and in a flash that precious day was suddenly gone.

Understanding why is difficult at the moment, for those that are left behind,

The images remain of that horrible act, is forever etched in our minds.

I know not if words can comfort right now, at this time while everyone grieves,

For the hopes and dreams of so many lost lives, which still is so hard to believe.

Compassion is a precious gift we now share, instilling unity into the heart of every man,

Though tragedy has happened right before our very eyes, we've witnessed love, and comfort, throughout the land.

Our wounds are deep, but one day they will heal, if we strengthen one another in the days to come,

Remember to pray for everyone in every home, as our people stand together as one.

May God continue to bless us all in the days to come.

Pauline P. Williams

Copyright 2006